From: Jeff Davis (jrd1415@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Oct 18 2002 - 19:29:53 MDT
--- Samantha Atkins <samantha@objectent.com> wrote:
> So how are you going to get to the place where you
> have symmetric transparency? How will it be
insured? I keep asking but I don't see much in the
way of answers.
In these discussions I find a mostly unstated
presumption that the recording devices will be setup,
operated, and owned by the govt. To me that means a
big brother situation, and any expectation of
symmetric transparency is nonsense.
However, if the cameras and microphones are set up and
owned by private individuals--around and in their
homes, cars, businesses, and on their persons, then
not only do you have a high degree of control of the
data--the govt gets it only by subpoena or as a
consequence of an established tradition of
demonstrated deference to the citizen data-owners--
but you have the govt data-collectors vastly
outnumbered.
I am not convinced that the govt has under all
circumstances and for all time the upper hand in this.
If the random handy video camera can in a
fluke--Rodney King-- force accountability on the cops,
then what would be the result of an environment
saturated with privately-owned recording devices?
And if bugging the govt in non-national security
areas, becomes illegal--it probably already is--then
what about throwaway fly-on-the-wall devices that have
no owners and dump their data to a net for all to
view. Much like file trading of copyrighted works,
tracking the origins and multitude of destinations
becomes overwhelming, and that's even before any
enforcement action is attempted.
### Yes. We will clean the legal Augean stables.
> >
>
> How? Why should the power holders allow you to?
How will they stop you?
> How will you force it or otherwise get around them,
especially as they gain keener tools to watch and
block would be agents of change at every step? I am
not cynical. I am just the opposite. But
frankly I am at a loss as to how this can be done
without something equivalent to a revolution or
starting a new country.
Some revolutions are effected by force of arms, but
not all. Technology may--in fact often--brings about
a "revolution" without warfare.
> > ### With a camera you would at least have a
> fighting chance against your
> > oppressors.
> >
>
> In practice cops confiscate cameras and slap on
extra criminal charges that are upheld by the courts.
It is actually illegal to film "public" officials
acting in their "public" capacity in
many circumstances.
If enough people break this law then it ceases to
achieve its corruption-protecting purpose, and the
corruption *may* face the challenge that finally beats
it.
Best, Jeff Davis
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